The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-05
HOLLY SPRINGS.
How the Place Was Captured by Van Dara's Com
mEnd, and Who Was 10 Blame.

mEnd, and Who Was 10 Blame.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade f.
Wilcox, of Co. G, 6th Wis, has undertaken an
hercucan task la attempting TO rescue from
well-deserved reproach the fame Of Col. MUIR
ply, who unfortunately, was in command Of
the post at Holly Springs Miss, on Dec. 90,
1862, but il is barely possible that he don't
know what he is talking about. As he says,
by Implication, that be was az Oxford, 40 miles
away, and asserts that the l0lst III, two COM
panics OF the eth i'll. Cav, and a few conva-
lescents comprised the garrison. i have very
vivid remembrance of being there, and know
didn't answer TO roll-call in any Of those or
CARNATIONS. Eight companies of my regiment
t2.lh ILL., had been stationed at Codwater
Bridge, a short distance above Holly Springs.
and few days before the capture of the latter
place were relieved by the goth III. and sent
down TO the Springs, where We were campcd
near the depot, where also were the other
troops of the garrison. Had we been allowed
20 remain there we could have successfully re-
pulsed Van Dorn's command.
Rumor was rife for a day or two that we were
TO be attacked, aud even we privates in the
ranks were surprised when, on the morning Of
the 18th. the little force in the neighborhood
of the depot was divided and sent, a single
/ company in a place, 20 do guard duty on the
different wagon roads leading into town. No
] two companies were i'm support of each other,
/ or within mile OF the immense stock of sup
/ plies we were supposed 10 be guarding. My
company was on the Memphis road, and about
daylight we were awakened by firing and the
rebel yell +" on the other side Of the town.
/ Our company drummer played the long roll, y
aud we were quickly in line. We marched
across small hollow TO get a better position
/ for defense, but before reaching il we were met
1 by battalion Of Confederate cavalry, aud all
most Immediately discovered that another bat
TALON was coming mp the hollow in our rear
or course, resistance was out of the question,
and on being ordered 10 lay down our arms
/ fully OBo-half our muslsets went into the watts
| OF a lanyard in which we were.
We were "dOublc-quicked" through the
town, past the now burning depot of supplies
and into a large common, where we found other
companies Of our regiment, and where we were
Joined by the rest OF the garrison as they were
picked up by detail and brought in. or couIs,
they could not get away with US, and we were
immediately parolcd. Capt. Porter. who tOoR
my parole, told me he was I'M Holly Springs u,
day before; that he knew whore each company
was stationed, the number OF men. aud even
the names of the officers. From citizens OF Ia,
place we learned that this Capt. Porter wa
known % haze been 40 Col. Murphy's head
quarters and that Murphy knew who and wha
hc was. That The garrison could have held
the place wa not doubted by any Of those VIII,
were theE1 il we had not been treacherousl,
scattered 10 the four sides OF the town. for W,
had better advantages than the gallant Ir!sl
Seth, who not only held their position at Cold
water Bridge but even dcied the rebels 10 at
tack them. Our c0mraac has taken too big
job; lac had better let oil. Murphy rest in tn
oblivion he desorVes.-JOHS i. RECTOR, Co.
29Lh ILL. Cairo, III.